Listen here: “Say What?“
John 6:41-51; Ephesians 4:25-5:2
Here in John 6 we find them grumbling against Jesus because He said that He was the bread of God come down from heaven. Jesus was speaking figuratively, symbolically. But they took His words in their literal meaning. Jesus was not being mystical, people use figurative or symbolic language all the time. But people also speak literally. Ordinarily, we understand when people are doing one or the another.
Misunderstanding comes when literal speech is taken figuratively or symbolically, and when figurative or symbolical language is taken literally. In addition, exaggeration is often used to make a point. We sometimes over state something as a way of emphasizing it. For instance, I’m so hungry I could eat an elephant! This is an obvious exaggeration.
- Paul provided instruction on how to live in the Holy Spirit. And the first thing we need to do is to be honest with one another.
- We are to speak the truth to each other. This means that we are not to participate in lies, deceptions, or falsehoods that are provided and promoted by unbelievers.
- Sunday morning messages are available on the website (www.stpaulsmarietta.org/audio). Tell your friends.